Sandhill Cranes "Caddie & Niles"

Animal Summary

Both of the zoo's sandhill cranes were donated from the Racine Zoo in Racine, Wisconsin. Jr., the male, came first in 2000 with Birdie his mother following in 2002. The zoo changed Jr.'s name to Mulligan to match Birdie and the golf course that is found across the Little Manitowoc River that abuts the bird's exhibit.Facts

Mated pairs stay together year round and migrate south as a group with their offspring.

Sandhill cranes are the most common of the world's cranes.

An easy way to tell cranes and herons apart is by watching the way they fly. Herons fly with their heads pulled back and their neck in an "S" shape, while cranes fly with their necks straight out.

Conservation
Sandhill cranes are not threatened but some subspecies are rare and under protection.Threats
Threats to the sandhill crane are hunting and habitat destruction.